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Minister Nalbandian visits Stepanakert

On April 18, Bako Sahakian, President of Nagorno Karabakh, received Minister
Nalbandian, who was in Karabakh on a working visit.

President Sahakian congratulated the Minister on the occasion of his
appointment. He highly appreciated the fact that the new Armenian Foreign
Minister’s first visit was to Artsakh.

In his turn, the Minister said that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
issue is essential in Armenia’s foreign policy, hence his visit to Nagorno
Karabakh is but natural, and there exists a need for frequent visits.

Furthermore, the two touched upon the present state and the prospects for
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, as well as deepening the
cooperation between Armenia and Artsakh.

On April 19, Minister Nalbandian, met with the Speaker of the National
Assembly Ashot Ghulian, Prime-Minister Ara Harutyunian and Foreign Minister
Georgi Petrosian.

Ashot Ghulian, speaker of the National Assembly, congratulated Minister
Nalbandian on the occasion of his appointment saying that it will certainly
give a new impetus to the country’s foreign policy.

Upon the Minister’s request, the Speaker briefed him on the results of
Armenia – Nagorno-Karabakh interparliamentary commission meeting that had
taken place the previous day.

Minister Nalbandian attached importance to parliamentary cooperation between
Armenia and Artsakh, underlining the significance of the parliamentary
diplomacy.

On the request of Minister Nalbandian, the Head of the Artsakhi Government
Ara Harutyunian, presented him the prospects for the economic development in
Nagorno Karabakh. They also touched upon the implementation of new
technologies in economy, as well as cooperation between the Foreign
Ministries of Armenia and Artsakh.

The conversation with his counterpart Georgi Petrosian was primarily on the
present state of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process. The top
diplomats spoke about a closer cooperation between the two Ministries, and
agreed to hold regular consultations.

On his way back, Minister Nalbandian met with Archbishop Pargev Martirosian,
Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.